Pop rock band Euphoria’s frontman, Dr Palash Sen, shared a close bond with Pradeep Sarkar. So much so that he sobs intermittently when we speak to him about the late director, who he fondly addressed as dada. Sarkar shot Euphoria’s first music video for their cult song Dhoom Pichak Dhoom in 1998. The duo also did songs like Kabhi Aana Tu Meri Gali, Maaeri, Sha Na Na Na and Tum together.

Recalling their first collaboration, the singer says, “Dada heard Dhoom Pichak while we were recording it at a studio in Delhi and he immediately told me that he wanted to shoot the video. I felt honoured. We took a train to Benares (Varanasi; Uttar Pradesh). Our three-day schedule turned into a seven-day one because of the rains and the setting he wanted. The song became so big because of dada. He was the best.”

Sen says Sarkar was his mentor and guide. The singer feels the director, who died on March 24, never got his due in the industry: “He never copied anybody. He should have won awards for the work he did with us. He taught so many people, but he didn’t get enough credit because he never marketed himself.”